I believe Steve was in the sixth grade this particular summer. It had to be a weekend because his dad and I were home.

He broke away from his playing in the street with the neighborhood kids to ask me if he could go with a group of them to the home of a mutual friend. Their home had a swimming pool, diving board, lots of water paraphernalia, ping pong table, a trampoline, and other activities. They were charging admission.

I didn’t like the fact that he would have to cross the major highway to get there. Plus because they were charging admission, it didn’t sound like it was on the up-and-up. I was certain that it was against the law for a homeowner to charge admission. I just was not comfortable with the idea.

I refused to let him go. Needless to say, he was unhappy with me and left to return to his neighborhood friends on our street (or so I thought).

An hour or so later the phone rang, and my husband answered. I was in the kitchen but overheard him say, “I’ll be right there.” I didn’t give it another thought.

Shortly afterward, Ray came in the door carrying Steve in his arms. I knew he had disobeyed me and gone with the kids to that home after all. He was jumping on the trampoline and fell, seriously injuring his knee.

We took him to the hospital for X-rays, and they kept him there for several days. His knee was badly swollen, and they had to drain the fluid several times. I went to see him daily before and after work and took him goodies he wanted.

We were so grateful that the situation wasn’t worse; he was up and around and eventually fully recuperated. It was such a relief to have him back home in the family fold. However, many years later, when he was married with two sons, he had to have arthroscopic surgery on that knee.

I have teased him over the years about “See whatcha get when you don’t mind your mother.”

Sharon Benson Smith is a member of the writing class at Norwalk Senior Center.

My old dog JoJo was great entertainment for my family. We had him for many years and he provided the family with love, companionship and much laughter.

He always did silly things. We always lived in a one-story house and JoJo liked to jump up on my daughter’s bed, unto her dresser and then escape out the screened window in her bedroom. I can’t even guess at how many times we had to replace that screen. He just loved being outside.

Well when we moved to Norwalk, we moved to a two-story house. We were just getting settled in and there were always many neighborhood kids out on the driveway waiting for my son top come out and play.

One day JoJo decided to make his escape. He went right to my daughter’s room and dove out her window. I guess once in mid air, he must have realized that something wasn’t right. He grabbed on to the flower planting box and wrought iron railing on the front of the house. He hung there with his front paws wrapped around the railings and his body was just dangling above all the kid’s heads. They were all yell at him to hang on (like he understood the situation). Eventually he dropped down, hit the ground and started chasing all the kids. All the kids surrounded him trying to catch him. Well, he bit Ralph and ran away.

As I’m running down the street trying to catch him, what I was actually thinking was, “Oh great, what a once welcome to the neighborhood.” A lawyer will be at my door any minute.” Ralph and JoJo were both fine and no lawyer ever showed up!

JoJo was always getting into something he wasn’t supposed to. It’s a good thing the family loved him so much. I, not being a pet person, never laughed as hard as the rest of the family when he did something wrong.

Once after breakfast we had all left the kitchen unattended. When we walked back in we found JoJo standing up on top of the kitchen table. His face was completely covered with white powder. All we could see of his face were his big eyes. The empty powdered sugar donut box was laying on its side.

JoJo froze as we entered the room. (Like if he stood still enough, maybe we wouldn’t notice). He stood perfectly still, face completely covered with white powdered sugar and had a look on his face like as if he were saying, “What donut?”

One time my white cat was up on the roof of my house and fell all the way down the chimney. She landed in a big thud and was completely covered in ash and soot. We had no idea what had fallen down the chimney, and thought it might be a squirrel. We could only see two big eyes staring back at us.

Well JoJo spotted those eyes and the chase was on. The cat ran and JoJo chased, out the fireplace, up on and across the couch, over the chair, behind the TV, up on the window sill and across the love seat.

This was a fast and furious chase that we were unable to stop. JoJo was determined to catch whatever this thing was. Only after they made several rounds around the room, leaving a trail of soot and ash every step of the way did we realized that it was our precious kitty.

Imagine me not smiling that day. It was an unbelievable mess.

Oh yes, JoJo brought much entertainment to our family.

Gail Earl is a student in the memoirs writing class at Cerritos College.

This is my second full month as Board of Education President since being installed in December. Reaching out to the community with updates and information has been an idea that we as a school board have wanted to do for some time now and here is our first message. I plan to share the latest achievements and news happening in our schools each month at this time.

I want to start by thanking our entire Downey Unified School District family for all they do for our students. I want to point out that in my view our family consists of each teacher, administrator, instructional assistant, office manager, cafeteria worker, bus driver, maintenance worker, attendance clerk, mom, dad, aunt, uncle, grandma, grandpa, even just a kind friend or neighbor. They all truly affects the lives of our youth and I just want to recognize and thank each of you for all you do.

Nancy Swenson, Bobbi Samperi and Giggy Perez-Saab on a visit to Gallatin Elementary.

Now let’s get into some district highlights! First, we are so excited to announce the official kick-off of Downey Unified’s new Dual Language Immersion program. The Global Language Academies of Downey (GLAD) will open its doors in the 2019-20 school year at Carpenter Elementary School and we couldn’t be prouder. With this inaugural year just around the corner we will start by offering this new Spanish/English immersion program with TK and Kindergarten students, then we will grow a grade-level each year. In the coming years our goal would be to expand this GLAD program. If you would like more information on this new program, visit Downey Unified’s website (www.dusd.net).

Next, I want to give huge congratulations to Warren High, Columbus High and Doty Middle schools for their most recent accomplishments! Earlier in February, Warren High School celebrated receiving the designation of Special Olympics Unified Champion School. Warren was visited by ESPN’s Neil Everett and former ice-skating Olympian Michelle Kwan, where they were presented a banner for their national recognition as one of five “ESPN Top 5” Banner Schools from across the country for making their campus one that’s centered around inclusion. This means the staff and students worked very hard to successfully include special education students in many activities such as cheer, basketball and track and field.

As a graduate of Warren High, I couldn’t be prouder of my alma mater.

Now for Columbus High. Their success started in 2010 when they passed a WASC accreditation process which validates the integrity of a school’s programs. And now to add to that they have been named a 2019 Model Continuation High School by the California Department of Education because of their continued work with students who have faced many challenges all while getting them back on the pathway to learning. How cool is that?

Last but certainly not least, Doty Middle School recently received the nationally recognized Schools to Watch designation! What can’t our schools do?!? Doty was selected as a high-performing model school that demonstrates academic excellence, social equity and responsiveness to the needs of young adolescents... I think that about says it all! Doty now joins last year’s Schools to Watch recipients Griffiths and Stauffer middle schools.

I want to thank all of the teachers and staff members at Warren High, Columbus High and Doty Middle schools for ALL of their hard work in making these awards and designations possible! We could not have accomplished these goals if it wasn’t for your dedication and drive. I, and all of my fellow Board members, truly thank you!

Each month I’m going to close by inviting the entire Downey community to a few upcoming events so let’s start with a great event supporting True Lasting Connections (TLC) Family Resource Center! For those of you who may not know, this Saturday is the Healthy Downey 5K for TLC and all are welcome to come show support and even run/walk (registration is still open).

This community event, which begins at 8 a.m. at Apollo Park, directly benefits the Downey Unified students through the TLC Family Resource Center. I truly hope to see you there!

It is also Open House season across Downey Unified and I’d like to extend an invitation to any of our schools’ Open Houses! Primarily beginning at 5:30 p.m. or 6 p.m., the majority of our schools have upcoming Open Houses through the end of March.

Visit your home school’s event or travel to another school to see the incredible programs, teachers, classrooms and facilities across the district.

Make sure to keep an eye out for other activities being advertised on social media as well as on school marquees. I can’t wait to reach out next month and tell you about more amazing achievements and updates within Downey Unified!

I was so happy to retire my snow boots, sweat shirts, and turtle necks during the summer. How sweet it was to be in sunny California!

When I arrived home from Central College in Pella, Iowa, I was ready to shake loose the corn huskers dust off my feet and take a break from milk white Iowa.

I had lived in cultural shock and was hungry for some soul food, flavor and familiar culture. It was only 42 blacks from the east coast and west coast, the south, and Midwest on a campus of 4,000 students.

I was an affirmative action recipient. Without it, I doubt I would have gone to Iowa for college.

My sister Peggy and her husband, Lorise (who we called Bud) hosted family gatherings regularly on the weekends during the summer. Friends were also invited.

We ate barbeque hot off the grill and golden fried chicken right out of the skillet with all the trimmings: potato salad, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, string beans, 7-Up cake, and occasionally homemade ice cream.

We played Bid Wiz, checkers, dominoes, listened to jazz and Motown jams, and entertained a lot of trash talking. Hot fun, family, friends, love and happiness were what we were all about.

My brother-in-law owned a motorcycle and loved biking. I overheard him talking to his friend, Marshall, he had invited to a Sunday barbeque about planning a biking trip to the Oakland Jazz Festival.

Marvin Gaye was the main attraction. I had never seen him perform live. My heart almost leaped out of my chest.

He was my idol: tall, handsome, gifted, sexy, a musical genius, songwriter, producer, played keyboards, drums and synthesizer and could croon with the best.

He made women drool over his sexy moves and could sing in any genre. I leaped at the opportunity to invite myself to go with them.

His album “What’s Going On” released in 1971 was not just music. His lyrics were conscientious, compassionate, and laced with concerns about the environment and war like.

His beautiful lyrics, “Mother, mother there’s too many of your crying, bother brother, brother, there’s far too many of you dying, you know we’ve got to find a way to bring some lovin’ here today,.” rocked my world and stirred my soul.

With dogged determination, I convinced my brother-in and his friend Marshall to let me hitch a ride with them up to the Bay Area for the concert. It was to be held at the Oakland Alameda Coliseum.

“It’s going to be a long ride. I don’t know if you can handle it, but if you want to go it’s okay.”

“Really, are you sure? I can’t believe you said yes.” I was grateful for Bud’s approval.

My sister Peggy frowned on the idea. “You must be crazy. Better you than me. You’re out of your mind to ride that far.”

I ignored my sister’s comments. When Bud said okay, I had won half of the battle. I had a suspicion he thought I would back out at the last minute.

I got my mother’s approval also: “Child, a hard head makes a soft behind. You got to experience life for yourself. So, go ahead. Enjoy yourself. Be safe. I ‘ll just keep praying for you”.

I grabbed mother around the neck while she was sitting on the sofa watching her favorite soap opera in her paper thin, cotton duster and gave her a big kiss on her cheek. We both grinned at each other.

The concert was circa 1973, after Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On album had been released. The exact month or year it was, I don’t remember.

The Adventure

We left early morning, before the sun came up. I had packed all the essentials including my light green bell bottom slacks with a plaid, multicolored blouse that tied in the front to wear to the concert.

Bud had recently purchased it. When he revved it up to get started, it roared like a lion. It purred gently as a kitten on the highway.

Bud and Marshall were serious, safe bikers. They loved taking long trips. Both were trustworthy, fun loving, Vietnam veterans, and good Louisiana down home guys.

I had taken short trips before, but never a round trip nearly 800 miles. They wore black leather gloves, helmets, and short leather jackets with black leather boots, Levi jeans, and short sleeve V neck tee shirts.

We took I-5 out of L.A. heading north. Early on, adventure was sweet as honey. We were zinging in the wind. The ride was long, but sitting for hours was arduous.

The early morning breeze made the trip tolerable, especially when we cropped between the mountains. When we hit the valley, the stench of some dead carcass along with the sound of locust and crickets was eerie and nauseating.

Navigating pass 18-wheel rigs and racing among the shadows of danger were daunting. We darted ahead with precision. There were rough and smooth, cooler and hotter spots along the journey.

The seat I rode on was elevated, a firm hump of leather. I kept my legs snugged comfortably with my feet resting on the foot rest.

I could hear the crashing, squashing sounds of insects on my helmet. We ran into swarms of them, but championed ahead.

We had few pitstops, only to relieve ourselves when nature called, to refuel, or stop for a snack and water. Our pace was on schedule.

Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge on a Friday afternoon was the greatest challenge. The wind was so cold it felt like a million-darts stinging me.

I broke out in goosebumps, although I was layered with my windbreaker and sweat shirt. My nose turned as red as a beet and felt as frozen as a Popsicle.

I shivered out of control. My resolve weakened. My legs ached with pangs of pins and needles. I held on with adrenaline arching through my veins.

I could hear my heart pumping, racing in my ears. “Lord, help me get through this,” I prayed.

I held on to Bud for dear life. The wind was so strong no one could hear me, even if I screamed. There was so much traffic and cars zooming at such high speeds.

I closed my eyes. I’m sure I had a death grip on Bud, but it didn’t seem to faze him.

Our Arrival

We arrived at Geneva Towers where my sisters Jo and Mae lived in Daly City. It was good to be on solid ground safe among family.

When I got off the bike, I felt I had been riding bare back on a horse for a month. I walked as bad as John Wayne in a cowboy flick.

My behind felt like raw hide. “Dang”, I said to myself, “I’ve got to ride back home.” I acted cool with a grin masking my tears and pain.

My sisters greeted us with smiles, hugs, and open arms. We unpacked our things and I welcomed the warm, Epsom salt bath before we broke bread.

Jo provided us with a spread of her homemade Fettuccini seafood pasta, creamy coleslaw, steamed broccoli, and garlic bread. She said to me, “Girrl you got guts, more than I will ever have. Will I ride on a bike?”

With some attitude, her lips curled, one hand waving in the air and the other on her hip she said, “Hell to the no! We may be sisters, but I don’t have your guts.” We all laughed.

I braided my afro before sleep, so it would be big and puffy. I had a good night’s rest in a firm bed with fresh linen and slept like a baby.

The concert was Saturday night, the day after our arrival. I couldn’t wait. We left early to beat the traffic and arrived safely. The crowd overflowed into the stadium.

I was mesmerized. Marvin Gaye swooned and grooved with gritty, grinding, sexy moves. The crowd went wild when he sang, “Let’s Get It on.”

Heads bobbed. Shoulders swayed. Hands clapped. I dreamed. His falsetto was dynamite. There was not a dull moment.

The quality of his voice was great. For sure, it was top-notch entertainment. It was worth a sore butt. The swell of the crowd ballooned even more when he sang “What’s Going On.”

Nancy Wilson also performed. She sounded like a songbird. Her voice was light, soft, and jazzy. She was fantastic.

An all-time great made a guest appearance. Ella Fitzgerald claimed the stage. Her voice was powerful, sharp, sassy, and classy.

Her performance was breathtaking. She pinned our ears to the stars, scatted up to heaven, owned the mic, and stole the crowd.

I will never forget those legendary greats and neither will I forget how badly my butt ached after returning home on that 750 Honda. One hell of a ride.

“Ready!” said Ernesto, the oldest of the Villalobos Brothers. It was more of a maestro’s command than a question, because the entire audience of young people and their young parents were standing on their feet, ready to clap and stamp to the 6/8 time San Jarocha beat the Brothers had just taught them.

The biggest rainstorm of the year couldn’t dampen the energy of the Villalobos Brothers, nor the enthusiasm of the 100 or so young people, student musicians who had been invited to come to the interactive demonstration the Brothers gave at 1 pm, the afternoon of their evening concert at the Downey Theatre. The excitement came from both sides of the footlights.

Spotted in the audience was Lars Clutterham, active local Downey musician and Downey Symphony Society Board member, who has been helping to spearhead the Downey Foundation for Educational Opportunities, which operates within the Downey Unified School District.

I sat down in front of Liliana, 10, who plays violin and goes to Gallatin Elementary School. She has been studying for two years, and admitted bashfully that she practices ”nearly” every day, and wants to become a musician. “She plays in an ensemble,” her mother Elizabeth said.

That would be the Chamber Ensemble Group that Lars has been conducting and writing music for. Liliana’s favorite piece to play is “Arc of My Life,” a new piece by Lars which the Downey Symphony Orchestra played in its world premiere at the Downey Theatre in January. Her other favorite piece? Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.”

Seated beside me were a young family from Old River School Road Elementary. Daughter Abigail, 10, plays the violin and her brother Josue, age 11, plays the guitar. They have lessons at school they said. Both mothers had heard the Brothers before, and knew what a treat was coming.

The house lights dimmed and the backstage was lit with an apricot sunrise glow. Out came the three brothers, with their violins, and their back-up, two acoustical guitars and a drummer. Ernesto as the oldest introduced himself and then Alberto and Luis.

Ernesto said they were going to play and teach us some rhythms from the rich Mexican tradition of their home near the port of Vera Cruz. They began with a spirited folk song, and soon Alberto was dancing a zapateado, a foot-stomping kind of dance with intricate tapping by his polished boots.

Then Ernesto stepped forward and began to play a beautiful high melody, simple and yet obviously complex in its power to mesmerize.

“Everybody up,” Alberto said, and proceeded to introduce a fast little 1, 2, 3 clapping melody that syncopated to a 1, 2 and then a 1. Soon everyone was clapping and stamping. Some snapped their fingers. “No words,” said Luis. “Just sing ai yi.”

“Fantastico.” said Ernesto. “How many violins do we have?” and many hands were raised. “Guitars?” Yes. “Drums?” One student nudged another and nodded. And singers?” Many raised their hands for that, Lars included. Boys and girls volunteered to come up to the stage and demonstrate their clapping and stomping prowess. Several pairs of rain boots were on display, as well as sneakers of various colors and heights.

Lars Clutterham and Ernesto Villlobos in the lobby after the childrens’ afternoon session. Photo by Lorine Parks

“We participate, in Mexico,” said Ernesto, “when we play and when we sing. And by dancing, we all talk together. People don’t just come to listen to something beautiful. They come to be part of it.”

“When the Brothers offered us this package with the interactive student participation,” said Amber Vogel, Venuetech’s Theatre Manager, “we were thrilled to have it.” Amber held the lobby door open for us as we came in, the rain pounding down behind us. From a table in the lobby, DFEO members gave everyone an 8-page color handout, outlining the Villalobos fascination with the Mexican Folk Music traditions. A checklist showed the students’ names, instrument, and years of playing.

“This is so important,” said Lars, “to have these kids hear their instruments played at the peak of performance like this.”

The term “son” refers to music from the countryside, not the musica of the church and court, in colonial times. There are 80 sones, or songs, in the San Jaracho tradition, and the Brothers played “El Pijol,” about a black bird with a long tail and a large, curved beak that loves to cluster in noisy groups.

“How much do you practice?” asked a student during the question period. “When we began it was very little, maybe 15 minutes,” said Ernesto. “But we increased that to half an hour, an hour, two hours, four hours. Now seven hours is how much we practice every day.”

“How old were you when you began?” asked another youngster. “Maybe… about your age,” came the reply.

Actually, the Brothers’ cred and props in classical musical are awesome.

Considered child prodigies, they had early soloist debuts with the Xalapa Symphony Orchestra playing the Sibelius, Brahms, and Saint-Saens violin concertos. They also had solo appearances with the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba.

"High Octane Mexican Fiddling" said The New Victory Theater; “They develop their own style of playing, called "Fast-Chatting Violin" consisting in a rapid succession of notes and percussive sounds that imitate the human voice.”

“These are only labels,” says Ernesto, the oldest brother. “We grew up together, making music for many years in the tropics of Veracruz, Mexico."

The Brothers use their violins and their voices to redefine contemporary Mexican music. With masks, poems, traditional Veracruz and European classical music, they layer melody and meter in an exciting new way.

That evening, the audience was treated to original music that featured complex patterns of interwoven three-violin harmonies, intricate call-and-response arrangements and lyrical melodies carried out by one of the brothers as the other two reinforce it in counterpoint.

Students surround one of the Villalobos Brothers in the Downey Theatre lobby, seeking autographs. Photo courtesy Downey Theatre

Evening refreshments of beer, wine and munchies were provided by Soropimist International of Downey. Cecelia Gonez and Donna Lindley admitted they were glad their table had been moved from the patio into the lobby, because of the inclement weather – which, we hoped, would promote sales. All profits go to Soroptimst projects such as preventing human trafficking.

When the Brothers took the stage again at 8 pm, they were dressed casually, Ernest in a blue suit, light blue silk tie and matching headband and white boots. Luis, in the middle, wore all black with the afternoon’s red and yellow striped scarf, and Alberto wore black pants with a native geometric print short-sleeved shirt in red, yellow and blue. Alberto and Luis had on polished black boots, for dancing.

They played again in the Son Jarocho genre, the musical style from their native Veracruz, Mexico. Jarocho represents a fusion of indigenous (primarily Huastecan), Spanish, and African musical elements, reflecting the population which evolved in the region from Spanish colonial times. Themes are love, nature, sailors, and cattle breeding. It is often played on jaranas and sung in a style in which several singers exchange improvised verses called décimas, often with humorous or offensive content. A perfect way for the three siblings to show off their talent.

The Brothers are proud of the Fandango at the Wall project in 2018. They joined forces with the Afra Latin Jazz orchestra at a live concert at the Tijuana-San Diego border, to promote cross-border friendship and rapprochement. The ultimate goal of Fandango at the Wall is to bring the people of the United States and Mexico together through music. “After all, we don’t just share a border but families and friends, histories and futures,” said the Brothers.

Born and raised in Xalapa, Mexico, an hour's drive from the port city of Veracruz, the brothers spent their childhood listening to their grandmother, Cristina Vásquez play music for enjoyment after a day's work, for dancers at a country fandango, or for guests dining in the many coastal seafood restaurants. They sing and play the guitar, the piano and the thin-bodied guitars, jaranas. Original compositions, include "Anochipa Tlalticpac" for chorus, jaranas, and pre-Columbian percussion.

In 2000, Ernesto Villalobos won a Fulbright Grant to the Manhattan School of Music, where he performed at Master Classes led by Pinchas Zukerman and travelled to Israel to study with Shlomo Mintz.

The middle brother, Alberto Villalobos, left Mexico in 2002 and studied violin at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, and was a student by Pierre Boulez at the Lucerne Festival Academy in Switzerland.

In 2003 the youngest brother, Luis Villalobos, moved to Germany, He was also accepted at the prestigious Mozarteum University of Salzburg in Austria.

The Villalobos Brothers have been frequent collaborators of The Shul Band, a klezmer band led by Adam Feder. In 2005 Ernesto Villalobos and Adam Feder led a candlelit vigil at the children's barracks inside Auschwitz Berkenau at Oświęcim, Poland. “Think of it as Jerry Garcia in Jerusalem,” said Adam Feder, the guitar-playing leader.

Ernesto had never met a Jew before he arrived in New York on a Fulbright fellowship. Feeling embraced by the congregation, he invited his brothers, Alberto and Luis, to come to New York and join him playing at the synagogue. Only half jokingly, Mr. Feder said, “The band is one-third mariachi now.”

Ernesto spoke of the morning interactive session and said “it is always good to come and connect with the youth. Try to be the person who supports music, not because there is any money in it, but for the good it does.” Joyce Sherwin, Downey Symphonic Society Board member also in the audience, embodies that goal.

We recognized several of the children who had attended the daytime event. Malu from Imperial School who is 8 has been studying the violin since September. Her parents brought her to the concert, and she stayed awake till the very end, although her younger sister, in matching white and pink figured leggings, fell asleep.

The evening began with Flor de Toloache, an all-female mariachi quintet: 2 guitars, a violin and two trumpets, dressed in black velvet fringed jackets and black pants with big silver coin studs. The toloache is a Mexican medicinal plant often associated with magic, and magic is a good word to describe the effect these vivacious women had.

It occurred to one to think, how much was lost, hundreds of years ago, when poetry was separated from the other elements of dance, song. and the musical instruments that create the music. Ironically, cheap indoor gas, and then electric, lighting brought the book indoors but not the performers and the music.

A Fandango, according the Villalobos Brother’s hand-out, is “a social dance and celebration, where all the element of son San Jaracho come together: music, lyrics, instruments, zapateado and reciting of poetry.”

A great swell of Hispanic love and appreciation for this community of music rides through the river of life in Downey. It adds to the rich diversity already provided by the Downey Symphonic Society, Venuetech and the Downey Theatre, and the many other musical venues in our city. They bring the feeling of community and togetherness. An evening with the Villalobos Brothers made for an awesome fandango in Downey.

A blustery rainy morning confronted visiting Rotarians, but it cleared just as everyone arrived at Downey’s world famous Rancho Los Amigos (RLA) National Rehabilitation Medical Center. We met in the sparkling new Outpatient Building, that compliments the new Jacqueline Perry Inpatient Wing of the hospital, which opened in September, and the big Don Knabe Wellness Center. All are part of project Rancho Rising 2020, right on target for completion.

Bill Kirkwood recalled Downey Rotary’s history with RLA. Bill Harriman, one of the founders in 1924 of the Rotary Club of Downey, was Superintendent of Rancho when it was still a work farm for the country poor to serve farming families who could not afford medical services.

Bill also remembered that Bill H., for whom the impressive RLA Administration Building is named, sponsored for membership into the Rotary Club of Downey a young man whom he called “The Boy Wonder.” Guess who? It was Angelo Cardono, now 91 and the club’s - and District 5280’s- longest serving member since 1948. As a sailor from Rhode Island freshly discharged from the Navy after World War II, he decided to stay here and make Downey his home.

Deborah Arroyo, Director of the Rancho Foundation, served as hostess and was joined by Walter Afable, Assistant Hospital Administrator. By now nearly 40 members had found their way to the appointed spot, the Auditorium with its pictures windows that showed the lowering sky.

Deborah introduced Administrator Eric Zapata, who explained that the Rancho Foundation is the non-profit fund raising arm at RLA, whose purpose is to improve the life of the patients, and enable them to be productive citizens again.

“If you were a skier,” said Deborah, “You might think your skiing days were over after your accident. But we organize trips to the slopes in Colorado, and put them out there again. If not on skis, then on a sleigh or toboggan. Kayak trips, surfing. biking, these activities can be made available to patients during and after rehab. So there is life after your accident, and life can be good.

Paul Mathis of the Rotary Club of Downey is Treasurer of the Foundation, and Jesse Vargas, Program Chair, is a member of the Board. Deborah invited everyone to come to the Foundation’s Gala Ball on March 23, and Rotarians were handed an elegant envelope. Held at the Westin in Long Beach, the Amistad (Friendship) event is a fun, glamorous evening, and the theme this year is A Black and White Ball. Downeyites Sam and Beverly Matthis will be there, as always: they’re deeply involved with the Foundation.. She’s a Soroptimist, he’s an Optimist, though the service clubs are not related.

Late Rotary member Pat Gomez Pratt, who died in 2014, was for many years President of the Rancho Foundation Board. She also served as President of the Downey Chamber of Commerce and Grand Marshall of the Christmas Parade. As a young hairdresser, Pat gave her Sundays, her only day off, for cutting and styling the patients’ hair, both men and women, a great moral booster. Later as proprietor of Johnny & Company, Pat even got married at the Amistad Ball, to Cliff Pratt, a Rotarian from the South Gate Club, making cherished memories for many at the Amistad.

Members were divided up into three groups for a tour of the newly opened building, and I joined the one led by Administrator Gilberto Salinas, himself a polio survivor who moved through corridor traffic expertly in his hand-propelled wheelchair.

We stopped by a glass mural wall at the entrance, showing the history of Rancho. Prominent there were Downey Doctors Vern Nickell and Jacqulin Perry. In 1955 they invented the “halo” head brace for patients with spinal or head injuries. And then came Dr. Perry’s ground-breaking Gait Analysis studies in 1968, so useful for rehabbing stroke victims. The Downey Symphony will present a Gershwin! Concert in April, dedicated to Dr. Jackie. Today’s discoveries at Rancho are almost magical: brain-to-computer interfacing.

We whizzed through marble corridors, up in brushed steel elevators, past the new Rehab Facility, custom designed to meet the special needs of patients. The $190 Million building is a “one-stop shop” where patients can get all their therapy, medical and nursing needs all in one place. “They can even get their prescriptions filled speedily here,” Gilbert told us.

We walked through the wide enclosed connectors between Out-Patient Building and Hospital. Everywhere we saw smiling wheelchair patients and workers. When one employee in dark blue scrubs unexpectedly joined the twelve of us on our elevator ride, she was asked to tell what she does, and she willingly explained her role.

A friendly, casual and up-to-date and upbeat place. RLA’s new Out-Patient Building is expected to serve an amazing 70,000 patients in 2019. That’s a lot of well-spent tax-payers dollars in L A County Supervisor Janice Hahn’s Fourth District, doing good work for the community.

“A lady brought me a hot cocoa when it was raining,” said Julie. “I asked her if she had a plastic bag I could put over me, and she brought me one from her car. So then I could stand in the rain with a garbage bag over my shoulders to protect me. People have been good to me.”

“And when I was standing at Marie Calendar’s,” Julie said, “a lady who runs the bar across the street saw me. She came over and said, ‘I don’t want to see you standing in the rain.’ And she gave me enough money to rest that night in a motel.”

A “rest” is what Julie calls her motel stays, and they can be from one to three nights, depending if she can get a local charity to march what she has collected. “I had four good rests over the holidays,” she said.

“There’s a man here at the Post Office who’s being mean to me,” Julie said. “Actually, it’s a woman dressed like a man. She wants to stand here and told me to go. I can’t come till three in the afternoon.”

“Ask that person, do they own the Post Office?” I said. “You have a right to be here too.” “What’s the worst they can do to you, do you think they would hit you?” “No,” said Julie, “I don’t think they would do that.” “Stand up for yourself,” I said, and Julie straightened her shoulders and stood taller. Easy for me to say.

Julie was standing by the cinder brick wall in front of the Downey Post Office. It was a cool sunny January day and she had on a purple plaid flannel shirt and purple pants, and sturdy black shoes. “A lady bought me this outfit,” Julie said, her eyes bright. “And a nice gentleman bought me a sandwich.”

“Another gentleman came up and asked if he could bless me,” Julie said. “When I said yes, he put a large bill in my hand.”

Julie is grateful for small things like a sandwich and a garbage bag, items we use or discard every day and give no thought to at all. “People are good,” she said, with no trace of sarcasm or bitterness. “I’ve been so blessed.”

But Julie’s macular degeneration is progressive. And more winter weather is on the way.

The annual count of the homeless just took place in Downey, conducted by Lisa Barnett, with the City of Downey. Volunteer Andrew Wahlquist started from the First Baptist Church; and Mario Guerra, who is growing a grizzled beard, and Alex Saab, met at 5 Guys, with Martha Medford Sodetani. Will Julie be out there to be counted?

She had told me that when it rained hard she went to “the waiting room at one of the hospitals, or to a Jack in the Box. I go to different ones all the time,” she said.

On the day I saw Julie again, a family of four had gotten out of their car to talk to her. Their little boy had been chosen to put the family’s donation in her hand, a nice lesson in compassion. I asked her if she had seen a social worker, to assess her options. Yes, she said she had, and she was supposed to start getting SSI benefits, “enough to get a room.”

But Julie thinks getting approved may be delayed because of the government shutdown, and a check may not come as scheduled.

Many family members were jam-packed in our small, upstairs apartment to celebrate Mark’s fourth birthday.

The adults were enjoying each other’s company and the toddlers, conversing about the latest family happenings, and having a bite to eat, of course.

When it came time for Mark to blow out the candles on the cake, suddenly, someone asked: “Where’s Mark?” He was nowhere to be found in the apartment, so panic set in, and we all went our separate ways looking for him. Out on the sidewalk, some went east, some went west, while others stayed and searched in the front and back yards. With our searching in every direction, and still no sign of Mark, my panic was raging.

Thankfully, not too long afterward, someone shouted “Here he is.” He was in the yard all along…asleep under the giant elephant ear plant. My little man had had a busy day while scaring the stuffing out of the family!

Years later, when he was about eight, he was upset with me and told me that he was running away. Well, I said: “You haven’t eaten dinner yet so wait a few minutes, and I’ll fix you something to eat to take along.” I packed a few things he liked, tied it all up in a hobo style bandana, and tied it to a stick. Off the little brat went down the street. My heart was pounding as I watched him turn right at the street corner and walk out of sight. I kept looking out the window hoping to get sight of him, and about twenty minutes later, there he was sitting on the curb in front of our home.

I guess he figured home wasn’t such a bad place after all, and his runaway days were over.

Sharon Benson Smith is a member of the writing class at Norwalk Senior Center.

The Los Angeles Rams are heading to Atlanta to face off with the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 53 as -2.5 point underdogs, according to Vegas.

Although it seems like Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are in every year, it is the first time in over three decades that Los Angeles has a team in the big game. Flashback to just three years ago-- Los Angelenos didn’t even have a football team to root for, let alone two playoff teams.

But we are back baby!

It is easy to dismiss the emerging Rams by saying this will be a lop-sided advantage for the seasoned Patriots, who have utterly dominated the playoffs for nearly two decades, but according to the ‘Madden 19’ simulation, the Rams are going to edge New England, 30-27.

The simulation has a proven track record and has been impressively accurate over the years. It has predicted 10 of the last 15 Super Bowl Champs and has even accurately predicted the final scores twice since they began doing the simulation in 2004.

But in order for the Rams to reign victorious and host a championship parade in LA, they will need to put together four good quarters of football and maybe even overtime.

Aaron Donald

They need to look like they did in the second half against the Saints in the NFC Championship for the entirety of the game if they want to beat Belichick and company, though according to the EA Sports simulation, they will have to rally to come back from a 17-3 halftime deficit.

In reality, the Rams will obviously need a great game out of Goff and Gurley, both, to stand a fighting chance on offense, while Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh will need to push the pocket into Brady’s comfort zone quickly and often.

The game will be won in the trenches and very much depends on the Rams offensive and defensive lines.

If LA’s big men are beat at the point of attack and can not get a push, it will certainly be a long day for Sean McVay and his coaching staff.

For Brady, this will be his unprecedented 40th playoff start and his chance at winning his sixth ring. He threw his first playoff touchdown pass 17 years ago against the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl 36 when he won his first ship.

It seems as though Brady just keeps getting better with age. He has won 11 playoff games in the last five seasons alone and has more playoff wins under his belt than some NFL franchises.

I believe the Rams will need to put up more than 30 points to beat these guys. I predict a Patriot win, unless the Rams can put up 35 or more points.

Dad and mom belonged to a lodge called the Knights of Pythias. Dad was a Knight and mom was a Pythian Sister.

They attended frequent Lodge meetings. They also went to dinner dances and, quite often, mom bought a new dress.

The holiday gala was the main event of the year, and dad surprised mom with a fur coat for the special occasion. We were so proud of dad’s generosity and even happier for mom. The coat was lovely and we all gathered around mom telling her how pretty she looked. The next day, she told us all about the evening and what a great time they had, and gave us each one of the favors.

Wintertime was fast approaching, and we three girls were huddled together in our bed in the living room where a tarpaulin served as the east side of the house during dad’s do-it-yourself-remodel. We had plenty of blankets on top of us, but that still didn’t keep out the winter cold.

Along came mom, saving the day, as usual. She laid her fur coat atop the blankets and off to dreamland we went. I should say off the dreamland “they” went, as Phyllis would grind her teeth and Donna would pee the bed and I would struggle to fall asleep until the sandman was at last successful.

Dad came home from his semi-truckin’ in the middle of the night. He checked on us and how the tarpaulin was doing. Seeing the fur coat must have given him a “case of the vapors,” but that wasn’t the last time mom covered her girls with her fine fur coat. As a matter of fact, over time, strips of fur began to disappear until it was torn and tattered.

Years later, our hearts would be torn and tattered when she had to leave us.

Sharon Smith is a member of the writing class at Norwalk Senior Center.

I sat aflutter waiting for my favorite actor’s name to be announced. I was at the edge of my seat.

“These are the nominees for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama role: “Sam Rockwell,” “Woody Harrelson,” “And the Oscar goes to” Sam Rockwell!”

“Yes,” I cheered with joy!

The Oscars were held March 4, 2018. The 90th Academy Awards ceremony honored the best films of 2017 and took place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. I prepared myself to watch this event unfold on TV, as I always do.

I am a big fan of the Academy Awards. I love watching movies and I have seen many of them; for instance, “The Godfather,” which won for Best Picture in 1973 (one of my favorite quotes in The Godfather is, of course, “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse…”); “The Deer Hunter,” also won for Best Picture in 1979, and I love the scene in the bar where they’re singing, “I love you, Baby!”; and “Jaws,” winning Best Sound in 1976, and my all time favorite quote in “Jaws” is, “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.”

Although I did not watch all of the movies that were nominated in 2018, one movie in particular I did see was “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri.” If you haven’t seen it, I recommend you see it. Frances McDormand won Best Actress for this picture.

I try to keep up with the movies that are shown, but sometimes it can be overwhelming. But, as I got prepared to watch the Oscars, I knew I had to plan in advance. By that I mean getting all my chores done, homework, and any writing that needs to be completed. I don’t want any interruptions during the day and time during the Oscars.

For instance, I don’t want my phone to ring, and if it does, I will not answer it. The same goes with text messages; I will not answer any of them, and if a fire were to break out, I would probably ignore that, too!

My children know better not to talk to me or even look at me, and if I see one of them approaching me, I immediately put my hand up, gesturing them to stay away! I expect myself to give full attention to the Oscars.

I love the fashion, glamour and seeing all my favorite actors and actresses. Viola Davis looked stunning in a hot pink gown and matching handbag, with her hair pulled back, and with glossy lips, looking so youthful. Nicole Kidman strolled down the red carpet in a royal blue dress with a slit in front and bare shoulders, and with both hands gracefully grasping on to her waist. I thought her lipstick was maybe a tad too red for the dress color she chose, but that’s just me (hmm, am I sounding like a fashion critic?). Sandra Bullock almost looked like a statue posing so elegantly.

Jane Fonda is one of my favorite actresses. I remember her in the movie “Barefoot in the Park” with Robert Redford, he is another one of my favorite actors (I used to fantasize that I was Jane Fonda in that movie). Jane was a presenter at the Oscars in 2018, and she looked amazing. She is 80 years old!

Woody Harrelson is another favorite actor of mine. I remember him on “Cheers,” a TV sitcom. But he is best known for his portrayal in the movie “The Glass Castle,” a book I read last year and also was made into a movie.

It amazes me what these actors can do. The Oscars are a day to honor these extraordinary performers and their roles in movies. I admire them and the work they do. People travel from all over just to get a glimpse of one of their favorite actors.

I’m only 26 miles away from this event sitting in front of my TV waiting to see one of my favorite actors. Sometimes I imagine myself walking the red carpet looking glamorous, posing for pictures, smiling, waving to my fans, but then reality sets in! Well, I can still dream.

And the Oscar goes to “The Shape of Water,” winning best picture for 2017!

Yolanda Reyna is a member of the writing class at Norwalk Senior Center.

On another of these delightfully mild winter evenings we’ve been enjoying in Southern California, the nearly full January moon shone on an almost full-house crowd.

What brought the attendance for the Downey Symphony Orchestra’s winter concert? The young people. Students and family and followers of the new Downey Foundation for Educational Outreach (DFEO) came to hear Lars Clutterham who conducts the newly formed middle school string ensemble. Lars’s new piece, Arc of My Life, premiered.

And a busload of youngsters and families came all the way from Arroyo High School in San Bernardino, to see the art show in the lobby, sponsored by the Downey Arts Coalition (DAC) and curated by President Pat Gil. Pat was seen standing by a magnificent winged dragon sculpture which twinkled with lights. Carolina del Toro’s color photos, enlargement of minutia, were featured as were husband Jorge’s ceramic whorls.

Most of the young audience sat in the balcony. Emma and Meghan from Griffiths Middle School and Jenna from Doty all participate in DFEO, and were looking forward to Mozart’s “Great” Symphony #40 in G minor. They play the violin. Then they and the others patiently waited till after intermission, for Lars’s piece, after which he was called up to the stage by Conductor Sharon Lavery to take the audience’s enthusiastic applause.

Anesssa Lee, director for the violin program for DFEO, and her husband Eric were seated in the balcony too. Anessa is responsible for writing the program and the instrumentation, and for liasing with the Downey Unified School District to find a place to classes and to give concerts for the growing program. The rapport between Anessa and the kids was apparent in everyone’s smiles.

Aa Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf began, everyone greeted Antony Moreno’s narrative with cheers as each instrument was introduced. Then they settled back to enjoy the lively story in song. Anthony replied to the audience’s appreciation by giving us an encore, Donezetti’s tenor aria from his opera buffe Don Pasquale.

During intermission we saw music patrons Ruth Hillecke and Nancy Ramage. Nan was the winner of a bid at the Symphonic Society’s September Garden Party Gala, to an event at the Segerstom Center for the Performing Arts, and she chose tickets to Itzhak Perlman, who appeared just two nights before. “Fabulous,” said Nan.

Also enjoying the respite from the rains was Chad Berlingheiri. Fresh from his successful show, “It’s Christmas in Downey,” Chad is producing Love Songs, a Valentine’s evening cabaret and dinner show on the Queen Mary on February 9. Bette Teagarden, and Jorge and Maru Monero, were there, as well as poet Frank and essayist-blogger Carol Kearns, Dorothy Pemberton and Bernice Mancebo Stumps.

Bill Hare. Photo

Bill Hare, Symphonic Society Board member is also a member of La Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevins, celebrators of Burgundy with its emphasis on its gastronomy and great wines. “The Orchestra sounded great, especially with a good audience,” said Bill.

Music enthusiast Ryan Keene was helping at the reception for season ticket holders, attended by regular patrons Jim and Judy Reynolds, and Anna and Harold Tseklenis. Harold is a supporter of Art in Public Places in Downey for DAC, and has been a welcome gadfly in Downey civic affairs.

Mozart’s Great D Minor Symphony showed off Artistic Director Sharon’s gifts as a conductor. In spite of the minor key, Mozart cannot resist breaking into a sunny minute in the third movement. Sharon gave a Mozartian balance to the tempestuous score.

Enthusiasts of great music are looking forward to the Downey Symphony’s April 6 performance, Gershwin! That’s the night the conductor’s baton is up for auction too. Twice winner Pris Winslow was seen here, chatting with well know local painter Roy Anthony Shabla, whose next Green Salon will be January 26. Pris came down to Downey, her former home, from Berkeley, just for this concert.

Dan Lorenzetti, son of well-loved Sal Lorenzetti who for many years operated Sal’s Italian Market, joined the audience on the patio for intermission refreshments. He’s the father of singer Rachel, who will perform some George Gershwin favorites at the April concert.

April’s Gershwin! Concert is being offered as a tribute to Dr. Jacquelin Perry. Dr. Jackie worked as a pioneer orthopedic surgeon and then gait studies expert, at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehab Center here in Downey.

Concert versions of excerpts from Porgy and Bess, with book and words by Dorothy and du Bose Heyward, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, will be featured. This work has been considered the crowning achievement in the stellar careers of all of the authors. Appropriately for Downey audiences, Porgy is a crippled street beggar, disabled by the loss of use of his legs.

An American in Paris and then the Rhapsody in Blue will climax the evening, with a champagne reception for all to follow. Tickets are available now: early birds will ask for keyboard-side, the better to enjoy virtuoso soloist Bernadine Blaha. Go to the Downey Theatre Box Office, or downeysymphony.org.

Practically every man carried a gun and hunting knife during the ‘60s. Hung by a strap from his shoulder were his powder-horn and bullet pouch. His feet were covered with heavy boots and he wore leggings to protect him from the brush while riding.

His principal weapon was a heavy, long, muzzled-loading rifle that, although it did not shoot far, was exceedingly accurate. Every boy learned to shoot as soon as he was able to carry a gun, and he began to contribute a large variety of game, which at times was a major part of the bill-of-fare.

The residents as a whole were a fine class of people, though there were among them some ruffians -- especially rough when fired by whiskey. Gangs of such men, disturbing the peace, often resulted in shootings, and it was necessary for the officers, who were inadequate for the occasion, to be assisted by civilians. Public whippings and hangings were resorted to, although I have found no record of the latter punishment in our vicinity.

The dress of these early settlers was of simple design, made of coarse durable material. Men tanned skins of animals and these were made into shoes and garments. Women made their own clothes and those of the children, largely without the aid of sewing machines.

There were few articles upon which the settlers had to depend from the outside world. Of these, powder and lead were the most important.

History of early recreation

All down through the ages man has found some time to devote to pleasure. The ancients had their feasts; the Indians various dances and celebrations which lasted for days. The Spanish and Mexicans of the 60s called for contests in marksmanship and horsemanship, gaiety and color. Mexicans celebrated their independence from Spain by parades, with a chosen queen riding in a decorated wagon, guitar music, patriotic songs, speaking and dancing. The American and Mexican flags were carried side by side to the place where they were to congregate.

The Fourth of July and Christmas were occasions for fireworks and bull fights, which drew large crowds. In the gaily-painted corrals near the Plaza in Los Angeles, a bear sometimes faced el toro. Cockfights were another popular sport. Rodeos and races called for expensive outfits, some of them valued at thousands of dollars.

Economics

In 1864, the year ushered in with a depression of currency resulting in hard times. The assessed valuation of Los Angeles County was $2 million, and not one cent was collected within the city boundaries.

Summertime brought a greater scarcity of water; land prices dropped and crime and theft increased. While Los Angeles was not under military law at the time, it was dominated by military forces which were used when needed.

In 1865, 4,000 acres of the Domingues Ranch were sold to Temple and Gibson for 35 cents an acre. G. E. Compton paid Temple and Gibson $5 an acre for the land on which he founded a Methodist colony in which liquor was prohibited. This was the first dry (no liquor sold) community in Los Angeles County, and later became the city of Compton.

That same year Don Vicente Lugo was forced to sell most of his estate which was part of the San Antonio Grant. Whole acres were sold for a few groceries, and people lived in on one meal a day. A barrel of flour commanded $15 and frijoles -- red beans -- brought 15 cents a pound.

Pio Pico, the last governor of California while it was still under Mexican rule.

The drought of 1865-66 caused a terrific loss of stock and forced Juan Temple to sell Rancho Los Alamitos -- this proved fatal to Don Abel Stearns, also of Rancho Los Alamitos, who eight months later sold to Michael Reese for $31,000, approximately $1.10 per acre. In 1881, the estate of Michael Reese sold the rancho to John Bixby who in turn conveyed one-third interest to J.W. Hellman and Jonathan Bixby. This information came from “Romance of the Ranchos” by Palmer Connor, published by Title Insurance and Trust Company, Los Angeles.

Pio Pico, whose ranch adjoined Rancho Santa Gertrudes on the north, lost heavily from the drought but was fortunate in having the San Gabriel River along its western boundary where settlement begun. By 1866, James Shugg used the river water for irrigation purposes. On reaching the upland, his ditch continued south from the Santa Fe Railroad tracks to his home on Shugg’s Lane (now Slauson Avenue in Pico Rivera).

The development problems were great, and moles, gophers, squirrels, etc. constantly caused the loss of water. The ditch was abandoned in 1867.

Efforts toward a ditch and water company continued until the venture of the present route of the Arroyo Ditch, with two side ditches -- the Taylor Ditch on the west and the Stockton Ditch on the east.

Come visit the Downey Historical Society for the total history of the making of the Downey water companies.

Bobbi Bruce is a docent at the Downey Historical Society. Details for the story were taken from Easter Bangle Morrison.

DOWNEY - Steve Probst is a Downey native. He learned guitar at the Downey YMCA. He bought records at stores around town. He was even in the Way Outer Broadway Talent Show.

Now a professional musician, Probst will soon be getting the homecoming performance that he never expected.

Probst, 57, has been touring with Hotel California, a tribute band that salutes the music of The Eagles.

His involvement with the group began years ago when he came across an ad in a musician’s online referral service.

“It’s basically a guy just looking for a job like anyone else, except I happen to play music,” said Probst. “Being a youngster in the 70’s listening to Eagles music, and I still have the albums back at home that I used to listen to…”

Having grown up and lived in Downey through his mid 20’s (including buying his Eagles “One of These Nights” albums at Two Guys Department Store formerly on Firestone Boulevard), it was an unexpected treat for Probst when he discovered the band would be bringing the show back to his home roots.

“I was surprised to find out we’re playing the Downey Theatre,” said Probst. “I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is where I grew up!’…We’ve played at the Cerritos Performing Arts Center a couple of times, and I thought that was cool in itself because I was so close to home. Then Downey came along and you can’t get any closer than this to a hometown kind of gig.”

“It’s like a dream come true, it’s super nostalgic. I took guitar lessons down the street on 3rd Avenue; that’s where I learned my first Rock and Roll licks, right down the street from the theatre.”

Probst and Hotel California will be making stops in Louisiana before coming back to Downey. They will then move on to shows in Arizona.

Tickets are currently available for the Downey Theatre show, which is scheduled for Jan. 25. More information can be found at downeytheatre.org.

For more information on Hotel California, visit hotelcal.com. Info on Probst himself can be found at his website steveprobst.net.

Mozart lovers get two winter treats. One of Mozart’s late great symphonies, the Great G Minor #40, is being offered by the Downey Symphony Orchestra at the Downey Theatre on January 20.

First, however, comes the whispered pianissimo notes, very fast and agitated, of Mozart’s Overture to the Marriage of Figaro. “Fun, exciting, the perfect way to shoot out of the gate to start a concert” Maestro Sharon Lavery says.

The presto tempo adds to the feeling of intrigue and secrecy anticipated in the comic opera to come. Effervescent melodies bubble up throughout the piece, creating a feeling of wit, anticipation, and buoyant good humor.

Fans will listen for the long, extended, controlled crescendo which ends the piece. This is the famous “Mannheim crescendo,” a sudden dynamic process where the whole orchestra transitions from pianissimo to fortissimo within an incredibly short time.

For his Great Symphony #40 in G Minor, Mozart wrote not one but two versions, and the second one differs because in it he added - and no one knows why – a part for the newest member of the woodwind family, the clarinet. This made for a bigger woodwind section, and a bigger orchestra.

The clarinet had begun life as a shepherd’s pipe or chalmeau, but recently a new register key had been added, which increased its range by over two octaves, and Mozart wanted to include it. If purists want to hear the first version that came into Mozart’s fertile mind, today’s Symphony Orchestras can perform either, with or without the clarinets.

We asked Musical Director Lavery which version we would be hearing, and how she made her choice. “I’d never be able to look our principal clarinetist in the eye,” she answered, “if I didn’t chose the version with the clarinets.”

“But seriously,” the conductor went on, “the wind section, to my ear, sounds much more complete with the clarinets. So I guess the short answer is, yes, the fact that I am a clarinet did influence my decision.”

In the “Great” G Minor Symphony, the listener can make the connection as Mozart uses the Mannheim School of Special Effects again, to give a strong emotional quality as a sense of tragedy and grief climaxes the Fourth Movement. Although the Symphony is not scored for timpani, or the kettle drums, yet to our surprise, thunder crashes around us and waterfalls roar. It is the Mannheim Rocket effect, achieved with a passage that rises swiftly through several octaves in a series of rising notes, an arpeggio, and that dynamite crescendo.

Music of the Sturm und Dram (Storm and Stress) period often uses a minor key, to suggest passion and indecision. This is one of only 2 minor key symphonies Mozart wrote, that sunny man from Salzburg. Calling it “Great” distinguishes it from the ‘Little” #25, also in G minor, but written in Mozart’s early years.

“Personally,” Lavery said, “I love this symphony because of all of the harmonic twists and turns that Mozart takes us through. When you think he’s going one way with the harmonic progression, he leads us into a completely different key.

“This type pf genius composing keeps things dramatic and curious at all times,” said Lavery. “Just when you think a typical cadence will end with a soft dynamic of piano, you get a loud forte ending that brings us into a new key. What should be a calming slow movement is agitating.”

“The traditional sunny minuet is again in a G minor,” said Downey’s conductor, “and heavily chromatic. It’s sort of like ending a typical sentence of a story in a certain way, but then somehow the story shifts in an instant with a shocking new twist. “

“When we perform it,” Lavery said, “I will ask the orchestra to bring out these twists and turns. I will ask them to emphasize these harmonic turns by perhaps accenting the first notes of these surprising new keys or surprising new chords. I might ask them to emphasize these dramatic harmonic surprises with the overall dynamics.”

“This whole symphony is filled with drama and agitation,” said Lavery. “It is an absolute gem that takes you on a very satisfying musical journey.” Written during the Viennese years, this Great G Minor Symphony is recognized as one of the gateway pieces to the Romantic era.

Lavery as Music Director chose to continue the evening’s concert with Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, a playful story with a narration that provides an interactive component for the audience.

The dark “Into the Woods” theme is introduced when, as in all good fairy tales, the hero gets in trouble when he enters forbidden territory. For a little boy, that means going beyond the farm fence into the meadow that leads to the forest. Even though it is broad daylight, it is off limits. But surprise, Peter’s breaking boundaries pays off and music lovers from 9 to 90 plus love to hear Peter as represented by a cheerful string quartet when he skips into the meadow.

Prokofiev’s piece has introduced generations to the instruments of the Orchestra, from the Cat, as played by the clarinet “in the lower register,” (the chalmeau again, now an alto clarinet), to Grandfather’s grumbling bassoon. The oboe is the Duck, quacking. Flute followers listen just to hear the Bird trilling, cajoling, fluttering and fretting, and finally saying ‘I told you so.’ Audiences cheer (spoiler alert) when the boisterous kettle drums blaze on the scene as the Hunters rescue Peter from the snarling French horns of the villainous Wolf.

For Prokofiev writing in 1937, Peter represented the valor of the younger generation of Bolshevik youths, and Grandfather the overly conservative and stubborn older generation. No matter what your politics, everyone is happy when the wolf is captured and a Mozart-like balance is achieved again.

Peter and the Wolf showcased some of the great voices and orchestras of the 20th century. In the days before television, families would sit and listen to records together, and a 1939 recording such as RCA Victor made with Serge Koussevitzky and the Boston Symphony was a family treasure. In 1946 Disney featured included Peter as an animated short in Make Mine Music, and Deems Taylor did an unforgettable voice-over commentary.

Celebrity narrators have included Eleanor Roosevelt, Sean Connery and Ronald Reagan, Sophia Loren and Sting. Downey audiences will be treated to Antony Moreno who charmed us in the Love Letters portion of the Red Violin program several winters ago.

True to Downey Symphonic Society tradition, there will be a world premiere on the program, local composer Lars Clutterhams’ short Instrumental Suite for Orchestra, The Arc of My Life.

“I asked Lars to use the same instrumentation as Prokofiv did in Peter,” said Sharon. “Lars’s music, while brand new and unfamiliar to the audience, will make that important connection to our listeners.”

“The piano was my first instrument,” said Lars, “so that’s how ‘The Arc of My Life’ begins, with a note struck on the piano. And out of that fragment, my life develops.” A later interview with Lars will show how he composed his “Arc of My Life.”

The Downey Theatre is an acoustical gem no matter where you sit, and ample free parking surrounds the Theatre. Tickets for the January 19th concert are available now at the Box Office or go to Downeysymphomy.org.